E&S Blog : E&S Home Care Solutions

When You Feel Your Best, You Worry Less

Posted by eshomecaresolutions in Uncategorized

When You Feel Your Best, You Worry Less

Once upon a time, I was one of those people who used to feel stressed daily. I had a ton of responsibilities. The 24-hours in a day weren’t enough to finish the work I had to complete. The struggles were definitely real. I am here to say that I feel your pain. My health suffered because of it too. Your health is one of the most important aspects of your daily life. When you feel sick, it is like the whole world is going to end. Your day-to-day tasks become an impossible mission.

This is what my mind used to look on a daily basis. It was an endless cycle of repetitive responsibilities. It seemed like it wasn’t affecting my body at all until I noticed I couldn’t sleep at night. I felt tired during critical times where my mind had to be sharp.

It seems like a great balance until you realize there is no “me” time to enjoy. We get caught in this cycle of responsibilities that the last thought on our minds is ourselves and our hobbies. We forget the essentials of eating right and exercise which help create peace of mind.

I am here to tell you. You need to take the time to look after your health regardless of your size, weight, and background.

You Worry Less

Your physical and mental well being should be a priority in your life. It is easier said than done though. Once we get into the rhythm of our lives, it takes discipline to think about yourself too. Guilt can make us feel like we can’t take a break, but the truth is, we sometimes need a break too. Life is about enjoying the precious moments that will pass us by if we don’t blink.

Home Care Advice of the Week | Check for Home Health Aide References

Posted by eshomecaresolutions in Home Care

We have introduced a new series for families searching for home care. Weekly, we share home care advice given by experts in the field. This week Doctor Jayne Mead tells families to check for home health aide references.

This series focuses on home health care. It provides valuable advice that families will need when they are ready to enter the home care world.

Pick the Right Qualities Home Health Aides Need

Home health aides need to fit the qualities that your family needs. Additionally, don’t be quick to hire a home health aide. This is a valuable decision that can affect the health of your loved one.

Doctor Jayne Mead: “I would advise the family to check for references. What qualities are you looking for a home health aide? This is the person who will be taking care of your loved one.” Families should take the screening process seriously.

Home Health Aides Compliment Family Needs

Home Health Aides should be a great help! This is why people opt to go for home care agencies. A home care agency has access to home health aide records, history, and a number of other credentials. Family safety is the number one priority.

In conclusion, choose a home health aide that will compliment your family’s needs.

Find Arthritis Pain Relief With Home Care Services

Posted by Anabel Gonzalez in Arthritis

Have you encountered a moment where your knee or our elbow encounter a glass shattering pain? You shouldn’t worry. There are millions of others who suffer it too. Arthritis is a treatable, preventable series of diseases.

For many, it is debilitating. Fortunately, there are effective ways to treat arthritis, especially at home.

Before we can discuss how to help arthritis, we should understand it.

What is arthritis? Arthritis pain is a group of painful and degenerative conditions marked by inflammation in the joints. Normally, arthritis sufferers feel joint pain and joint disease.

It is a common “group of diseases” that affects people of all ages, sexes, and races. In addition, it is the leading cause of disability in America.

Although arthritis is difficult to manage, it is important that you do. Doctors treat arthritis with medication and lifestyle changes. Also, doctors understand that some medications cause side effects. This is why doctors refer patients to use a combination of both methods.

What Are the Symptoms of Arthritis?

The symptoms can affect people of all ages. It is important to always check with a doctor if you are concerned. While early signs and symptoms can be mimicked by other diseases, the warning signs and symptoms include the following:

Fatigue
Anemia
Fever
Depression
Swelling
Redness
Joint Warmth
Stiffness in the Joints
Loss of Joint Range of Motion
Limping
Joint Deformity
Both Sides Affected
Joint Pain
Joint tenderness

Pain Management and Pain Relief at Home for Arthritis

Arthritis should not be the end of the world. Millions of people find relief. You can take charge of your condition. After extensive research, doctors recommend arthritis pain control habits and some medications. These habits assist in positive lifestyle changes.

Prescribed Medication
Enough Sleep
Avoid Stress
Healthy Diet
Vitamin D
Control Weight Gain
Get Up and Move
Avoid Repetitively Movements
Fresh Air
Rest When Possible

How Can Home Care Services Help?

Importantly, the best treatment for arthritis is pain management. Home care specializes in preventive care. Patients are confident that skilled professionals care for them. Arthritis is one of the many concerns of patients that want relief with home care.

How can home health care help? It is the type of help at home that the services provide. For example, personal care routines, healthy meal press, assisting with exercise, medication reminders, and companionship are advantages.

Home care is care that allows a person with special needs to stay in their home. It might be for people who are getting older. This doesn’t limit home care to older people. In fact, younger individuals seek home care and companionship too.

When it comes to home care services, they are flexible with the type of help you want at your home.

For one, personal care plans are prescribed by doctors. These doctors forward this information to the home care agency. Upon receiving the care plan, the home care agency sets up a plan with nurses and home health aides. These team of caregivers follow the care plan prescribed by the doctor.

Secondly, the care plan is followed carefully. For Arthritis sufferers, this may involve additional therapy or medication. A companion assists in this type of care. After several weeks of ongoing care, a nurse is sent to the home every 60-90 days to check up on the patient’s well-being.

If the treatment needs to be updated or the patient continues to experience pain, the care plan is changed. Also, it is updated to ensure that the patient receives the right pain management and relief necessary.

Finally, care is valuable to home care agencies. Happiness is first. A home health aide and a nurse are experts in giving families the medical peace of mind needed.

When It Is Time to Consider Live-In Care

Posted by Anabel Gonzalez in Home Care

The idea of live-in caregivers is appealing. It is a good choice if you need 24/7 care. The real question is though. Do you need live-in care?

For your convenience, I created a list of 14 signs it is time to consider live-in care. The best option for care is preventive care.

Hospital discharge patients
Switching from visiting care to live-in care
Changing care companies
Preventing falls
Caring for couples
Patients who need bathing and dressing assistance
Companionship
Exercise
Grocery shopping and/or laundry
Light House Keeping
Medication reminders
Oral and personal hygiene
Respite care for family caregivers
Transportation

What Live-Care Provides

Live-in caregivers provide all the same types of care. In other words, home health aides give assistance with daily activities. The primary benefit of elder care is that the elder remains in their home.

Furthermore, the plan of care helps to focus care on those areas that improve the elder’s quality of life. You have the option of 24 hour home care where someone will be resent day and night.

These activities include personal care, assistance with activities, companionship, and nursing services. The biggest advantage of having live-in care is that the number of caregivers is significantly reduced. It provides consistency with care. Essentially, trained professionals will assist your loved one’s day to day needs following a personalized care plan.

Personalized Care Plans

Normally, care plans are created to provide personalized care to a loved one. This is what is usually included in a care plan.

First, most care plans involve the approval of a physician or a nurse. Experts in the field ensure that the plan fits your loved one needs in order to be comfortable.

Secondly, there are goals and rehabilitation standards that are required. Home Health Aides are given a plan to follow to ensure treatment is followed by protocol.

Then, every 60-days, a nurse goes to the home to pay a nurse visit. Nurses assess the patient and the care plan to reassure it is being followed.

Finally, a nurse may recommend changes to improve the care plan.

Final Thoughts On Live-In Caregiver Services

Overall, live-in home health aides assist in your loved one’s mental and physical condition which requires further care.

Additionally, it is important that you remember the reasoning behind 24-hour care services. Firsthand, I have seen families benefit from continuous supervision.

The preventive care saves thousands in medical expenses. Furthermore, the health of the loved one should always be the primary concern. Doctors recommend patients being at the comfort of their home. Nonetheless, it is a team that provides care to your loved ones.

In most instances, a caregiver who proves to be an optimal fit for the requirements is the one to consider for long-term care.

In conclusion, it is important to understand when it is time for you to consider a live-in home caregiver.

Home Health Aide Credentials Are Important

Posted by Anabel Gonzalez in Home Care

It is a difficult process to choose a home health aide. Families throughout the United States are faced with the challenge. Home health care is the right option for families. Normally, home care services are less expensive than nursing homes. Elderly patients enjoy the advantages of staying at home.

Advice On How To Choose a Home Health Aide

Home Health Aide credentials are important. Doctor Jayne Mead shares her expertise on how to choose a valuable home caregiver. Normally, home health aides are interviewed.

Ideally, home attendants are from a reputable agency or a school. In the State of New Jersey, home care givers must renew their license every two years. In order to renew their license, they must be working or have worked within the two years.

The credentials of a home health aide make a world of difference. Usually, caregivers go through extensive training with a reputable school or agency. Coincidentally, high-quality schools are approved by the NJ Board of Nursing or by a state government program.

Why Choosing a Home Care Agency is a Good Option

A good option is a home care agency. Undoubtedly, families can choose a valuable home health aide. However, the process is painful and sometimes difficult especially due to the amount of home health aides readily available.

Without a doubt, home health aides are needed everywhere. This makes choosing harder. For this reason, it is a smart choice to go with an agency. Firstly, home care agencies know what is needed. Secondly, home health aide agencies can deal with the issues. Finally, the pay rates are competitive.

Home Health Aides prefer working with agencies. Despite their love to compassionate care, they need to feel secure with their decision.

What To Do Next With Your Home Care Services

Families should search for home care agencies near their area. If they are uncomfortable with the idea of hiring, it is definitely a safer option to let the home care agency find a valuable candidate. Nonetheless, choosing a home health aide that fits your family is one-hundred percent necessary and with the right credentials too.

The 7 Stages of Dementia

Posted by Anabel Gonzalez in Home Care

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to affect daily life. Sadly, many loved ones don’t understand how it progresses or how to treat a family member with dementia.

Furthermore, it is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms vary on the cause.

General Symptoms of Dementia:

Memory loss
Difficulty communicating
Personality changes
Depression
Anxiety
Agitation
Difficulty handling complex tasks
Paranoia
Agitation
The difficulty with coordination and motor functions
Confusion and disorientation

Generally, dementia is not a specific disease. For this reason, it is difficult to diagnose. Families who encounter loved ones with dementia will notice common patterns.

For instance, dementia describes a group of assumptions affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily functioning.

Stages 1- 3 of Dementia

No dementia to mild cognitive impairment. In this stage, this includes increased memory loss, trouble concentrating, and difficulty with verbal repetition.

Stage 4 of Dementia

Normally, stage 4 is considered the early-stage of dementia. It is not abnormal to see patients lose interest in other people or activities in this stage. What used to be simple tasks turn into a nightmare for those dealing with dementia.

The day to day activities is a burden to the patient. For example, patients often report misplacing items and having trouble remembering names. Patients struggle to find the right words in a conversation.

Additionally, some lose track of the day, date, or time. To sum it up, Dementia patients become self-reliant on their caretakers.

Stage 5-6 of Dementia

The mid-stage of Dementia includes problems sleeping. In summary, most report behavior problems in social settings. Dementia sufferers may wander or become lost.

In worse cases, patients complain about hallucinations and delusions. It is not uncommon that family members report increased hostility and aggression. Finally, personal information is usually difficult for sufferers to remember.

Stage 7 of Dementia

This is the late-state of dementia. In short, patients become more hostile, are vulnerable to infections, have difficulty eating, swallowing, and can lose considerable weight. To sum it up, dementia patients need absolute attention during this stage.

A single mishap creates problems for families and patients alike. Nevertheless, there is a way to alleviate the problems that are associated with dementia.

What Can Be Done About Dementia?

There is no cure for dementia. Prevention and medication assistance can ease symptoms. Home care is an alternative care treatment plan for dementia patients.

Globally, dementia affects about 46 million people. It is a concern with families everywhere. In conclusion, Dementia is not easy for families. It is a broad category of brain diseases. The most common is Alzheimer. Usually, age is the main reason a person’s notice a decline in their cognitive functions.

Regardless, the solution and treatment of dementia is a care-taking plan. While symptoms can’t be reversed, dementia patients can receive personal care plans that will assist families.